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.MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY (jiF COMMODORE RERI{Y. 

Committee t)N Indlsthial Arts and Expositions, 

House of Kevresentatives, 
Washington, D. C, Saturday, December 7(9, 1910—10.30 a. m. 

Present: Representatives Kotlenberg (chairmaji), Lanfjley, Steener- 
son, Woods. Poindexter. Ilellin, Collier, Cullop, aud Covington. 

Present, alst): Hon. Judson Harmon, goverj.or of Ohio; Mr. 
George H. Wortliington, Cleveland, Ohio, president general of the 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commission; Hon. |Ienry AVatterson, 
Louisville, Ky.. first vice j)resi<lent general of th.' Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission; Mr. Webster P. Huntin^j;ton, Columbus, 
Ohio, secretary general of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission; 
Hon. Milton W. Shreve, Erie, Pa.; Hon. Oeorge W. P<firker, Detroit, 
Mich.; Gen. Philij) C. Hayes, Joliet, 111.; Hon. A. W. Sanborn, Ash- 
land, Wis.; Hon. McKenzie R. Todd, Frankfort, Ky.; lion. John P. 
Sanborn, Newport, R. I.; Dr. Clinton B. Herrick, Troy^ N. Y., and 
Col. Webb C. Hayes, Fremont, Ohio, representing th\^ executive 
board of the Perry's Victory Centennial; Hon. J. Warren, Keifer, a 
Representative from Ohio: and others. 

Criie committee thereupon proceeded to the consideration' of the 
bill (H. R. 16363) ''to promote the erection of a memorial m con- 
junction with a Perry's victory centennial and exposition on Put Ln 
Bay Island, during the year 1913, in commemoration of the one 
hundredth aniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.") 

The Chairman. The committee will be in order. This meeting 
has been called for the purpose of giving several gentlemen an oppor- 
tunity to present an argument in favor of a biU pending before the 
committee, introduced by Gen. Keifer, providing for the erection of 
a memorial to comniemorate Perry's victory. Members of the com- 
mittee will recall that we had a hearing on this bill in the last session; 
but it was not thought advisable at that time to take any action, and 
it was agreed to let the matter go over until this session. The presi- 
dent general of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, Commo- 
dore NVorthington, is here, and we will hear from him first. 

STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE H. ■\VORTHINGTON, PRESIDENT 
GENERAL. PERRYS VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 

Mr. Wortiiington. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, we are here 
representing the commissioners who have thus far been appointed 
from the States participating in this proposed memorial celebration. 
I am not going to take any of your time by trying to make a speech, 
because I am not a good talker anvwav; and we have with us some 
gentlemen who can })ut the subject before you in much better shape 

t)9S09— 10 



I 0- ^ ^-HD 3 fo 



2 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 

than 1 could. I think it would be well, probably, to first hear from 
Mr. Huntington, the secretary of the commission. 

The Chairman. Mr. Huntington, we will be very glad to hear 
you. 

STATEMENT OF MR. WEBSTER P. HUNTINGTON, SECRETARY 
GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 

Mr. Huntington. Mi . Chairman and gentlemen, I do not wish 
to go into an exhausti-^e argument in behalf of this bill, but rather 
to advise the committee of the progress of events in connection 
with it since the hearing at the last session. 

In the beginning 1 wish to say that this design of a memorial is 
tentative. It represents the ideal entertained by the commissioners 
from the different States as to the character of whatever memorial 
should be built. The plans in relation to it have not been adopted, 
and when that matter comes before the commissioners they will 
take action leading to a council of architects; and by that time we 
hope to have the cooperation of architects representing the United 
States Governmejat, following the favorable action of this com- 
mittee and Congress. So we do not come with definite plans. 

Since we last appeared here, three States have joined the five 
that were then acting in concert for the objects in view. \Anien we 
appeared on the first occasion, the States engaged in the project 
were Ohio, l^ennsylvania, ^Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Since 
then legislation to j^romote the objects in view has been enacted in 
New York, Rhode Island, and Kentucky, and commissioners have 
been appointed from those States. 

Rhodf: Island participates upon the ground that that State had the 
honor of bemg the birthplace of Commodore Perry; and from there 
also came many of the officers of his fleet. 

Kentucky participates upon the ground that practically two-thirds 
of the soldiers in the Army of Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812 were 
Kentuckians under the command of that distinguished soldier and 
statesman. Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky. 

^Vhen we appeared before the governor of New York, Gov. Hughes, 
and laid this matter before him, he gave it very serious consideration, 
with such a favorable result that, witliout solicitation bv the visiting 
committee and without their knowledge, he sent a letter to the 
finance committee of the New York Senate, commending the project 
in the highest terms, and suggesting that they give it their support 
before the legislature. 

In Rhode Island the action was unanimous as it has been in all of 
the participating States. Senator Sanborn is here to speak for Rhode 
Island if called upon. 

In Kentucky Gov. Willson commended the project to the leaders in 
botli branches of the legislature. There was a public hearing before 
the House and Senate, after which resolutions providing for the 
appointment of a commission were adopted unanimously. 

These States, with the other five formerly participating, met, with 
representatives of all their commissions present, at Put in Bay Island, 
the scene of the battle of Lake Erie, on the 10th of last September; 
and there was organized the Interstate Board of the Perry's Victory 
Centennial. A full organization was completed, and an executive 

JAN 3 1911 



^ MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 3 

~~. committee appointed, consisting of tlic president general of the 
♦ Interstate Board, the first vice-president general, and one repre- 
s: sentative of each State commission. These gentlemen are present 
<^ liere to-diiy. 

Following that a committee was appointed to wait upon the 
governors of Indiana and Minnesota. No action had been taken in 
those States, because their legislatures had not been in session for 
two 3'ears, and the present was the iii'st opportuuit}' to bring the 
subject to official attention there. 

In Indiana Gov. Marshall very cordially agreed to recommend 
legislation by that State in his annual message about to be delivered 
to the legislature. In Minnesota Vio\. Eberhart nuuiifcsted the same 
interest, and said that he would also recommend the necessary 
legislation. 

So that the net results of progress since our last apj)earance is that 
we now have 10 States officially embarked in this great enterprise. 

Ohio, which took the initiative, and which has had a year s more 
time to make ])rogress than any other State, has, since we apj)eared 
here last, appropriated .?S{),006 for the ol)jects in view. In all the 
other States bills will be pending next January, and I wish to impress 
upon the members of tliis committee the favorable effect upon the 
legislation in all the States interested which a favorable report u|)on 
tliis bill would iiave at this time. If the decision of this committee 
is favorable to the project, we would ask you to make that fact known 
before the holiday recess, because before you convene again after that 
recess all of tliese legislatures will be in session, and bills \\\\\ be pend- 
ing in many of them. 

The losses, gentlemen, on the Great Lakes, compiled for the year 
representing the time since our last appearance here, were 82,000,000 
in one season, and 92 lives. This memorial has been best described, 
in my judgment, by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which said that 
it was "the only memorial in the world that not only means some- 
tliing, but does something." It is intended to protect and save 
life and property on the Great Lakes. The wireless telegraph station 
at a height of 375 feet will command the entire chain of lakes and 
will discharge and receive messages for miles inland. The project 
also contemplates a lighthouse, provision for an aquarium in con- 
nection with the Government fisheries station, which is already in 
operation at Put in Bay Island, a hfe-savmg station, a mihtary and 
naval museum, and other functions the discharge of which is dis- 
tinctly witliin the ])rovince of the United States Government. 

\Ve are not asking anything, therefore, that is extraordinary. It 
is customary for the Government to maintain its own lighthouses and 
other public functions of that character — life-saving stations, etc. 
It is customary for the Government to recognize the heroes of the 
Nation with ])roj)er memorials. So that this memorial represents a 
combination of ideas, not only inspiring patriotism, but promotmg 
the j)ractical interests of a vast section of this country. 

Mr. Chairman, we are here rather to answer (piestions and to give 
information through the medium of an informal tliscussion than to 
indulge in oratory. I do not wish to go further at this time, but 
after Col. Watterson has concluded his remarks. I and other commis- 
sioners present will be very jileased to answer any inquiries that may 
be made. I therefore yield the floor to Col. Watterson, of Kentucky. 

The Chairman. Col. Watterson, we will be very glad to hear you. 



4 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 

STATEMENT OF HON. HENRY WATTERSON, FIRST VICE PRESI- 
DENT GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMIS- 
SION. 

Mr. Wattersox. Mr. Cliairman and tjentlemen, I wa.s born here in 
Wasliington and early enough distinctly to recall when it was a posi- 
tive merit to have "fit agin the British," and a positive reproach to 
have had a Tory ancestor. I remember very well when the soldiers 
and the heroes of the War of 1812, and now and then a soldier of the 
War of the Revolution, appeared upon these streets. I grew up in 
an atmosphere made b}^ the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. 
We could in fancy see the old Continentals in their regimentals and 
through imaginary powder clouds hear the drums and fifes. I knew 
countless persons who had fought in the battles of the Thames and 
Tippecanoe, some who had escaped from the massacre of the River 
Raisin, and a few who had actually fought with Perry in the famous 
battle on Lake Erie. 

I was one of the many thousands of southern men who loved the 
Union and lamented the war of sections but who, when the debate 
was ended and war had come to pass, fought on their own side of the 
line. Thus it was that in 1865 when all that I feared in 1861 had 
been actually realized, it did not require two minutes or three words 
to reconstruct me. [Applause.] From that day to this I have had 
but one aspiration, and that has been the rehabilitation and moral 
emancipation of the South, and the restoration of the people and the 
sections to the old and beloved Union of the States. [Applause.] 

And so it was that when I was advised by the governor of Ken- 
tucky that he wanted to make me one of a commission to join in the 
celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Perry's victory I 
was more than willing. I knew nothing about the practical, concrete 
purpose in view, but upon the sentiment, generatmg back to that 
famous message, ''We nave met the enemy, and they are ours," 
which had been ringmg in my mind and heart since I can remember, 
and the stories that came from New Orleans of Old Hickor}^ and the 
Tennessee riflemen engaged in that wonderful victory, I cheerfully 
undertook to become a part of the commission, and went last Septem- 
ber to Put-in-Bay to jom the other gentlemen similarly appointed in 
the consideration of the general project. There is an effigy which we 
present as the likely verification of the program. [Indicating.] I 
found that it was not a scheme to erect merely an empty monument ; 
that it was not a scheme to make an industrial exposition ; but that 
it was a scheme largely embarked in from a scientific and humani- 
tarian point of view. 

I do not think that our country reahzes the vast commerce of our 
interior lakes. I do not think that the people realize how much has 
been done for our seacoast and how little has been done for those 
great waterways. I went up to Put in Bay and sailed about those 
beautiful islands. There is nothing on earth more delightful. In 
the Bay of Naples, the Bay of Calcutta, the Pacific seas there is noth- 
ing more beautiful than the group of islands Ipng ofl' Toledo, San- 
dusky, Cleveland, and Detroit, of which Put-in-Bay Island seems to 
be about the base or center. 

Then I looked at the plan to erect a memorial buildmg which should 
have apartments to commemorate each of the States engaged, with 



MEMORIAIi TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 5 

its surroundino; buildino;s for the Fish Commission, for the Life-Saving 
Service, for the Geodetic Survey, for a permanent military and 
naval museum — all commemorating the wonderful exploit of the 
immortal son of Rhode Island. 

There were two great Perrys of Rhode Island, vou will recall — 
OHver Hazard Perry, who fought the Battle of Lake Erie and died 
when he was 34 years of age, the ranking oflicer of our Navy; and 
his younger brother, Matthew Calvert Perry, who opened Japan to 
us 40 years later. 

When I saw a scheme so perfect, as it seemed to me, for commemo- 
rating so great an event, and cast my mind back upon its real signifi- 
cance, I said to myself: ''Well, at last Perry is coming to his own;" 
assuredly a review of the history of the Battle of Lake Erie and wliat 
it actually meant to the people of the United States will not only be 
good for the rising generation, but it will be another link m the great 
chain binding the people of the North and the South and the East 
and the West. 

It is often said that the Battle of New Orleans was a useless battle; 
that it was a brilliant victory, but that it was fought after the treaty 
of peace had actually been signed, and that therefore nothing mate- 
rial could come of it. That is a signal misimpression of the fact. The 
British ambassador at Ghent, who made the treaty, inserted a clause 
by which it was agreed that at the close of the war, at the moment of 
the signing of this treaty, wliichever flag waved over whatever ter- 
ritory, the status should last, the flag should carry the territory 
with it. The British ambassadors knew that Pakenham's army 
was on its way to the mouth of the Mississippi, and they fully 
beheved, there being nothing there to resist them, the flag of Eng- 
land would float over New Orleans during the month of December, 
1814, and that, therefore, the vast territory embracing the mouth 
of the Mississippi would be in British possession. Well, it happened 
that toward the last of October an American sailor, Capt. Sam C. 
Reed, commanding the brig Armstrong, inflicted such damage upon 
the British fleet carrying troops to Louisiana, in the harbor of Fayal, 
that Pakenliam's army was delayed six weeks, and when they 
arrived at the Behze, Jackson was there before them. The battle of 
New Orleans was fought, and instead of the British flag flying over 
the mouth of the Mississippi the Stars and Stripes floated above 
the plains of Chalmette and the city of New Orleans. [Applause.] 

Meanwhile Perry had gone out from that little bay in Lake Eric 
and met the British and destroyed them — next to the great fight of 
Paul Jones, with his leaky old tub in the North Sea, the most extraor- 
dinary snatching of victory from defeat the world of the sea has 
ever known. If Perry had been defeated in that battle of Lake Erie, 
Harrison's army would have been driven back to the line of the Ohio, 
and during the month of December, 1814, the British flag would have 
floated over the territory embraced by northern Ohio, Miehigan, Illi- 
nois, and Wisconsin, and all that priceless ilomain would to-day be a 
part of Canada and not a part of the United States. 

So it seems to me that we owe this tardy justice to the memory of 
the men who gave us this great glory, gained for us this tremenclous 
physical and moral victorv at a moment when all was dark from one 
end of the land to the otlier — the British in actual possession of the 
Capital of the country. It seems to me that a little better reparation 



6 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 

is due them (and ^ve have an opportunity to make it now) than was 
made to the heirs, the children and grandchildren, of poor old Sam 
Reed. Gen. Keifer will remember that finally, 90 years after the 
event, whilst he was Speaker of the House, that Congress passed an 
act giving them S90,qOU, the brig being their personal property, and 
being, of course, lost in the action. 

Ah, gentlemen, if I were a Member of either House of Congress 
I should feel it a privilege and an honor to vote tlie veiy modest 
sum we ask. Tnvo hundred and fifty thousand dollars is the amount 
named in the bill. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, per- 
haps S350,000, will be subscribed by the several States concerned, 
reaching an amount of five or six hundred thousand dollars to be 
expended. 

Mr. Huntington did not state, in his very luminous and lucid 
explanation, how the money is to be expended! It is to be expended 
by a board, three members of which are to be appointed by the 
President of the United States, to consist of an officer of the Army, 
an officer of the Navy — and what is the third, Mr, Huntington? 
I refer to the committee appointed by the President, to receive 
and expend this mone}', in conjunction with the commissioners of 
the various States. 

Mr. Huntington. It is to consist of three appointees by the 
President, one representing the Army and the other the Navy. 
The third appointment will not be subject to any restrictions. 

Mr. Watterson. At all events, nobody has any personal, sordid 
interest in this proposition. Nobody is to make any money out of 
it. Every dollar of the amount appropriated vnW be intelligently 
and carefully expemled for the purpose designed. You all, or at 
least the older ones among you, remember how Col. Mulberry Sel- 
lers appeared 40 years ago at Washington with the old flag for an 
appropriation. Now w^e appear here with the old flag for an appro- 
priation, but it is an lionest flag. It is our flag and brings grist 
to no man. It is a (hitiful and honest appropriation hkewise,"and 
I do hope that the members of this committee will join in a favor- 
able and a unanimous report. [Great applause.] 

The Chairman. It has been suggested that I call on Gen. Hayes, 
of Illinois, as the next speaker. 

STATEMENT OF GEN. PHILIP C. HAYES, OF JOLIET, ILL. 

Gen. Hayes. Mr. CJiairman and members of the committee, I 
come here as an ex-Member of Congress from the great State of Illi- 
nois, and I am very anxious, as one of the commissioners of that State, 
to have this committee indorse this bill which has been introduced 
by my friend. Gen. Keifer, to appropriate S250,000 for the erection 
of a monument to the grand victory that Commodore Perry and his 
gallant men won on Lake Erie on the 10th of September, 'l813, for 
the old flag and the glorious Nation which we represent to-day. 
[Applause.] 

1 feel a deep interest, my ck'ar friends, in the passage of this bill 
and in the erection of that grand monument at Put in Bay Island. 
Put in Bay Island extends out into Lake Erie and comes to a point, 
and riglit ofT that point Commodore Perry and his gallant men won 
that great victory on September 10, 1S13, and it is proposed to put 



MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 7 

this monument up iio:ht at the end of tliat point that runs into Lake 
Erie. Aiid, my (lear friends, it seems to me that the <xront Congress 
of the United States can all'ord to appropriate S250,0U0 to perpetuate 
tlie memory of that grand hero who won one of the greatest naval 
battles that has ever been won by the Navy of the United States of 
America. 

I feel a deep interest in tliis matter because my old father carried 
a gun in the ^^'ar of 1812, and had it not been for the victory of Com- 
modore Perry on Lake Eric on that mcmoral)le occasion 1 do not 
know, Mr. Chairman, whether this war would have terminated favor- 
ably to the I'nited States or not. I stand iiere as a man who fought 
for three years in the Civil War to sustain the old flag. 1 do not 
deserve any credit for it at all, but I fought for three years in the 
Civil War to sustain the honor of the old Hag: and 1 achnirc every 
man who has a sentiment of patriotism in his heart and who is 
ready to stand for the old flag, even if it takes an appropriation. 
[Laughter.] 

We want to see this bill pass. That monument erected will cost 
substantially a half million dollars, and it is expected that the 
various States will appropriate sufficient in addition to the S2o0,000 
that the Congress of the Ignited States will ap])ropriate to make up 
the necessarv amount. We can not afl'ord, gentlemen of this com- 
mittee, to turn down a bill of this kiml. 1 stand here feeling that we 
can not do too much to honor the men who helped to save this nation 
to the l^nion and to liberty. When Commodore Perry transferred 
his flag from one ship to the other and won his historic victory and 
declared that "we have met the enemy and they are ours" — every 
man, I say, who helped win that victory under his gallant com- 
mand is deserving of a monument such as we propose to erect. 

Gentlemen, I do not want to cU^tain you, but I do urge upon you 
to give a favorable report in regard to this bill. Two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars is but a small sum for such a purpose. I^et 
us have that amoimt appropriat(Ml by the National Congress in honor 
of the heroes who fought that grand battle on I^ake Erie on Septem- 
ber 10, 1813. [Applause.] 

The CiiAiRMAX. The committee will now be pleased to hear from 
Governor Harmon. 

STATEMENT OF HON. JUDSON HARMON. GOVERNOR OF OHIO. 

Mr. Harmon. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I did not come here 
with the expectation of saying anything, but merely hj my presence 
to indicate my deep interest in the matter before tlie committee. I 
was glad to feel that it was not necessary that I shoukl say anvthing 
when I knew what gentlemen Avere to atldress you. I will only add 
one or two thoughts, which rather comi)lement what they have said. 

Tf this had been a purely local event — the Battle of T>ake Erie — 
Ohio is rich enough and patriotic enough to erect her own memorial 
to it. If the battle had simply been notable for a display of American 
valor mider all the adverse conditions that can be imagined, Ohio and 
the other States whose sons made that display of valor could them- 
selves perj^etuate this memorial: but the local and the personal fea- 
tures are ob.scured by the broader aspects of that victory. 



8 MEMORIAL TO COMMEIMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 

Commodore Perry was a young man who had not reached the 
reflective and philosopliical period of hfe, and his men were such as 
he could recruit on short notice along the Lakes. I doubt if he or 
any of them really understood how much depended on them, but, 
like all true .Vmericans, when they went in they went in to ^^^n; that 
they did not reflect on what victory or defeat might mean. But, 
nevertheless, under the decrees of Providence great things are 
wrought out sometimes through unconscious agents. I do not know 
whether any of them remembered one of the most wonderful things 
in American history, and that is how John Jay, almost single-handed — 
that French Huguenot whose ancestors oppression had driven to 
our shores — as one of our commissioners saved the northwest terri- 
tory- when France, England, and Spain had united and had about 
Eersuaded John Adams, and even old Ben Franklin, that our natural 
oundary ought to be the ^Ulegheny Mountains. I do not think 
anj' of them, perhaps, knew it, or if they did know, how important it 
was that tJie Britisli hold on that territory be broken at that time. 
For you will remember that it was with the greatest reluctance, even 
after the treaty at the close of the Kevolution, that Great Britain let 
go of that territory; and the irritation caused b}- the delay in sur- 
rendering possession, the pretext of which was some pett}' dispute 
about British claims, was one of the main causes of the War of 1812; 
for it was not until 1796, as I remember, that they gave up Detroit 
and the forts thev had in Ohio; and during the W'ar of 1812 one of 
the first things they did was to mend and strengthen the old forts 
and put up new fortifications in Ohio. They had taken that whole 
northwest territory and made it part of Canada, and they wanted to 
hold on to it, and would have, and Jay's diplomacy would have 
amounted to nothing, if it had not been for tlie valor of those men 
led by the man whose memory that victor\- will render famous 
forever. 

Col. Watterson has spoken of the significance of the Battle of 
New Orleans; but we would not have had any flag at the mouth of 
the Mississippi if we had not first had the northwest territory and 
gone to the Mississippi; and therefore the importance of that hangs 
on this: That we must have our flag floating in the northwest terri- 
tory if our Republic was to stretch westward to the ocean, and not be 
a little fringe of Commonwealths along the sea. 

So the national aspect, the tremendous consequences of that 
victory, take it out of the local class, take it out of the class of personal 
heroism, and make it a great empire-making event. 

Gen. IIayes. That is right. 

Mr. IIak.mox. And so Ohio and the States which contributed their 
citizen sohliers to make up our force in this battle, although they are 
able to carry it on, do not feel that the commemoration would be 
complete unless the Union participates. Not for the money alone, 
l)ut that it might be made a national event, we ask for the cooperation 
of the United States. Surely the Union, surely you men from other 
States who realize what this all means, would not be willing if we 
wanted you to. to stand back and let these six or eight States conduct 
this alone. The celebration of this great victorv must be a Federal 
as well as a State event, and it can not be imless you come in with us, 
not only with your api>roi>riation but with your representatives. 
We need that Army man and that Xavy man to advise and help and 



MEMORIAL. TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 9 

to cooperate witli tliese spltMulitl men who have l^een aj^poiiited by 
the governors of the dilferent States, and tliose still to he appohited 
as soon as the legislatures assemble. 

I think nobody can question for a moment the fitness of that. 
The next thing is that we want a fitting commemoration. ]f tliis 
were like the charge of the six imndred, or the defense of the Pass 
of Tiiermopylse — witiiout result except the glorification of human 
courage and endurance — we could liave a celebration antl have it 
over; but anevent with such tremendous and permanent consequences 
as tliese can not be litly ])ut in emblem except by some memorial 
of like character, which is useful, and the memory of which does not 
pass with the occasion. 

Now, then, the scene of this A-ictory was right by tiie pathway of 
the greatest commerce in the world, that is growing faster, ])robal)ly, 
than any commerce in the world, whose possibilities, I think even 
the vivid American imagination can not grasp; and we want some- 
tiling that will stay forever right by the side of that pathway, so 
that as the ships pass by they may be reminded not only of the 
heroism there displayed, but of the deep significance of that heroism, 
which made that patliway of commerce j)ossible. So the commis- 
sioners have all thought that we do not want a mere celebration. 
We want to put there a useful, ])erpetual memorial, which, by its 
light and its helj), will go forth through all time as a commemora- 
tion of an event witli these lasting consequences. 

I do not know anything about that particular design, but 1 think 
everj'body is struck by the appropriateness of the idea of having a 
wireless-telegraph station and; lighthouse and life-saving station, 
which are peculiarly Federal. It is not the business of Ohio or any 
of these other States to perform that othce for Congress, and they 
are fitly represented by the different a])artments in the base of this 
monument, in which, according to their several tastes, they can 
commemorate their heroes and their ])articipation in that great event. 
It is a beautiful thought. Whether the m.emorial contemplated is 
too big, too little, too costly, or not costly enough — those matters can 
well be left to the judgment of tlie patriotic men who have volunteered 
their services, some of whom you have seen ami heard to-day. But 
we do ask you, in order that the participation of the I'nited States 
may be known, to join promptly with these States in celebrating this 
event in this manner. [Applause.] 

The CiiAiRMAX. Commissioner V.\)rthington, do you desire to have 
any other gentleman address the committee? 

Mr. ^VoRTHINGTON. ^Ir. Chairman, Senator Sanborn, of Rhoile 
Island, is here with us, ;uid I know you would all like to hear a few 
words from him. 

The Chairman. We would be very glad to hear Senator Sanborn. 

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN P. SANBORN, OF NEWPORT. R. I. 

Air. Sanborn. Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen of the committee, I 
do not wish to take up any of your time, as the irround has been well 
gone over. The whole matter has been thoroughly laid before you. 
Rhode Island takes a deep interest in this matter. Rhode Island 
was the birthplace of Commodore Perry. His remains lie buried 
there to-day. It was the birthplace of 149 men and ^ boys whom 



10 MEMORIAX, TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 



he took with him from Rhode Island in December, 1812, making his 
way from there to Sacketts Harbor, and from there to Erie, and in 
February commencing the building of that fleet with those men from 
Rhode Island. Those men from Rhode Island, skilled in woodwork, 
skilled in seamanship, built the vessels, manned them, carried them 
over the bar of Erie — all men of Rhode Island, and the other hardy 
yeomanry from the country roundabout — and fought that magnifi- 
cent battle which opened up to this country, I believe, more territory 
more country, than any other battle that ever was fought. [Applause.] 

This ground has been thoroughly gone over by Gov. Harmon and 
Col. Watterson, but it is a fact that the British disputed what they 
had given in their former treaty— the right to that Northwest Ter- 
ritory. After the surrender of Detroit and the disastrous battles 
of the River Raisin and Dudley's massacre Gen. Harrison checked the 
British advance by Maj, Croghan's glorious defense of Fort Stephenson, 
August 2, 1813, and after Perry's victorious battle on Lake Erie 
Harrison's army, reenforced by the Kentuckians, were united to Perry's 
fleet and made possible that glorious victory, the Battle of the Thames, 
October 5, 1813, which wound up practically the War of 1812, and 
the British retired from that Northwest Territory; and thus Minne- 
sota, Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana 
were made free from British aggrandizement forever after, and that 
territory was opened up to this country and the British withdrew 
from it. 

Such a battle as that, with its momentous results, deserves recog- 
nition, and on the occasion of the centennial of that battle, which 
will occur less than three years from this time, it does seem that this 
great nation should show its gratitude to Perry and the men with him 
and should show its gratitude to Harrison and the noble Kentuckians 
with him who fought those battles around Lake Erie and made pos- 
sible the freedom of that country, and made impossible another war 
with Great Britain. 

The amount that is asked for seems to me, for one, to be a sma 1 sum. 
While Rhode Island is far removed from the Lakes and far removed 
from any particular immediate result of tliat battle, save the glory of 
having given the men to fight it, 1 know she will contribute — and I 
believe it will be done without a niurmurof opposition from anyone — 
the sum allotted to her to carry out this grand project. All we want, 
as commissioners representing the States, is to have Congress act at 
once as an example for the rest of the States that we shall ask to act 
with us to make this a memorial and an occasion worthy of the men 
who fought there and worthy of the event. I do not know that there 
is anything more that it is necessary for mo to say. 1 will simply say 
that the Congressmen from Rhode Island, one of whom is here to-day, 
and our Senators and everyone in Rhode Island are thoroughly inter- 
ested in this project. We believe that it is nothing more than fitting, 
that it is nothing more than right, that it is nothing more than that 
great hero and the heroes with him have a right to have in their 
memory and in their name; and it seems to me that this memorial 
that has been mapped out here is a very appropriate one. I can 
conceive of none more appropriate and more proper for suc-h an occa- 
sion; for it is not simpl}' a monujnent. It is something of use for the 
Great Lakes, not only as a life-saving station, but as a lighthouse, a 
wireless telegraph station, a permanent military and naval museum, 



MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 11 

and a place for exhibitions or anything of that kind that jnay he held 
hereafter. It is certainly fitting as a memorial for that purpose, and 
the sum asked for on the part of the United States I hofjc will be 
given ungrudgingly. I hope the committee will make a prompt 
report, so that the matter can come before Congress for action, and so 
that we can go to our various States and say, "The United States 
Govenmient has taken the initiative. Now, we want you to follow 
it up." [Applause.] 

Mr. WoRTniXGTON. I suggest that Mr. Huntington make an addi- 
tional statement as to the present condition of the graves of the 
sailors of Perry's Fleet, whose remains are buried on Put-in-Bay 
Island. 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF ME. WEBSTER P. HUNTINGTON, 
SECRETARY-GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COM- 
MISSION. 

Mr. Huntington. Mr. Chairman, one subject has been overlooked 
in regard to which there is not much general information, and from 
the sentimental point of view it has a very important bearing upon 
this project. It is a fact that after the battle of Lake Erie the dead- 
bodies of the officers and sailors not left at the bottom of the lake 
were brought to Put-in-Bay Island and buried on the shore. They 
have lain there for 100 years, and there is not a stone over them. 
There is not a name disclosed as to who they were. Their names are 
in Commodore Perry's reports. They may be found in the Govern- 
ment archives; but no authority during this 100 years, neither State 
nor Nation, has paid any attention to the remams of these heroes. 
It was left to the pitiable charity of an amateur dramatic enter- 
tainment, patronized by villagers and fishermen on Put-in-Bay 
Island to raise money enough to erect a few old cannon balls upon 
those graves. It seems to me that this fact ought to be known to the 
committee, and especially to the representatives of the Army and 
Navy of the United States who, I believe, would not be \villing that 
this neglect should be longer continued. 

The Chairman. Do the members of the committee desire to ask 
Commodore Worthington or Mr. Huntington any questions ? Have 
you anyone else w^ho wishes to address the committee, Commodore ? 

Mr. Worthington. No, sir. 

The Chairman. Then this will conclude the hearing, gentlemen. 

Mr. Worthington. If any of you gentlemen would like to ask 
any questions, Mr. Huntington would be very glad to answer them. 

Mr. CuLLOCK. I would like to ask a ({uestion, Mr. Chairman. 

The Chairman. Very well. 

Mr. CuLLOCK. Has there been any lighthouse maintained at this 
point heretofore ? 

Mr. Worthington. Not at this point, but there is a lighthouse on 
Greene Island. 

Mr. CuLLocK. How far distant is that from where you propose 
to erect this monument ? How far distant is the one that is now 
maintained ? 

Mr. Worthington. The one on Greene Island is, I should sav, 
between 2 and 3 miles from Put in Bay; but the islands lie in such 



12 MEMORIAL, TO COMMEMOBATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 

shape there that the light on Greene Island is no good for the channel 
which this memorial would overlook. 

Mr. CuLLOCK. What is the width of the channel at that point ? 

Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. The width ? 

Mr. CuLLOCK. Yes, sir. 

Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. I would Say a mile. In its narrowest part it 
is not a mile. The narrowest part of that channel is out at ^liddle 
Island. That is, it is the last island you pass going out in Lake Erie. 

Mr. CuLLOCK. How far distant is that from this point ? 

Mr. WORTHINGTON. Middle Island is 12 miles from Put in Bay. 

Gen. Hayes. I want to say to you gentlemen that this point in 
Put in Bay is the farthest point tJ^at reaches out into Lake Erie of 
any of the islands connected with that group. 

Mr. Keifer. I want to ask a question, if you will allow me ? 

The Chairman. Certainly. 

Mr. Keifer. I understood from the remarks by Mr. Watterson 
that there was some action taken by the commission with reference 
to who should disburse this money. I only want to inquire whether 
the provisions of the bill which authorize the money, if it is appro- 
priated, to be paid over to the treasurer of the commission are right 
'in view of that proposition that the money is to be expended by a 
board appointed in part by the President and others ? 

Mr. CuLLOCK. I do not think he understands 3'ou. 

Mr. Keifer. I suppose it does not, but I only wanted to know; 
for if, as I greatly hope, the bill should be favorably reported, I do 
not want any mistake to arise on account of an}' changed condition 
since the bill was introduced. The last section of the bill provides 
that the money shall be paid out by the Secretary of the Treasury and 
to the treasurer of the commission. I do not know that that would 
be inconsistent at all with its being expended under the direction of 
this board that is to be appointed, but I wanted to make that sug- 
gestion at this time, so that it could be corrected if necessary. 

Mr. Harmon. I see the bill provides: 

The same to be disbursed by the Perry's Victory Centeunial Commission of Ohio 
and such other State commissions as have been and may be appointed to and which 
may cooperate therewith in holding such centennial. 

Mr. Keifer. That is true. 

Ml'. Harmon. I think that ought to include the two members 
appointed by the President, too. It does not seem to do it. 

Mr. Keifer. "And such board as they may designate." Suppose 
you use some such language as that ? 

^Ir. Harmon. As it is drawn I do not think it includes the United 
States participating in the spending of the money. 

Mr. Keifer. I think your suggestion is right about it. 

jVlr. Harmon. I would not want any question to arise about it. 

]V'Ir. Keifer. I want to avoid any question about it. 

Gen. Hayes. I want to say this. Gen. Keifer. In your bill you 
ought to incorporate the additional States that have signified their 
intention to talce action in regard to this matter, on account of its 
moral effect before Congress. If you consult Secretary Huntington 
he will tell you the number of additional States. 

^Ir. Keifer. Yes. But the bill provides generally. It is not de- 
fective in that respect, though it might be made more emphatic. The 



MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 13 

bill provides for the commission appointed already and siicli other 
commissioners as may choose to unite with them. 

Gen. Hayes. You see, there are some 10 States that have taken 
action. 

Mr. Keifer. I understand that. 

Gen. Hayes. If that fact were stated, it might have a moral effect 
before Congress. 

The Chairman. That is a matter of detail that the committee can 
consider. 

Mr. Keifer. I was going to suggest that if the committee reaches 
the conclusion to make the appropriation I would like to confer with 
it, so as to cover all the tilings proposed. 

The Chairman. Yes; we would be glad to have you. Gentlemen, 
this closes the hearing. 

(The committee thereupon adjourned.) 

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